Case study: breakthrough mpox infection in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia after completed two-dose course of subcutaneous modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA-BN) vaccines.

Background: In August 2022, in response to a global mpox outbreak, the World Health Organization recommended the Vaccinia vaccination for at-risk people.

Methods: Case study.

Results: We describe a case of a HIV-negative bisexual man who developed a symptomatic mpox infection 13weeks after completing a two-dose course of subcutaneous third-generation modified vaccinia Ankara vaccines.

Isolate independent molecular typing improves the yield of O typing of infections due to Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli.

Molecular screening has increased detection of Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC). However, it is difficult to isolate the organism for epidemiological typing. We applied a molecular method for direct detection of nine O types from 110 stx positive faeces samples and compared the results with conventional isolate based methods.

Raising the bar: using program evaluation for quality improvement.

The Cancer Quality Council of Ontario has undertaken 3 programmatic reviews, in partnership with Cancer Care Ontario, to evaluate an emerging or existing program and to provide future directions. The reviews are a quality improvement tool consisting of an assessment of the program's current state, a critical appraisal, and an environmental scan in advance of an event where attendees hear best practices from jurisdictions and participate in a discussion leading to a set of recommendations for the program.

Community blood lead survey with emphasis on preschool children following lead dust pollution in Esperance, Western Australia.

Objective: To assess the impact of airborne lead dust on blood lead levels in residents of Esperance, a regional Western Australian town, with particular reference to preschool children.

Methods: Following identification of significant airborne lead contamination, residents were notified that a blood lead clinic was available to all, with testing of preschool children encouraged. About 40% (333 children) of the preschool group and about 20% of the remaining population were tested.

Windblown lead carbonate as the main source of lead in blood of children from a seaside community: an example of local birds as "canaries in the mine".

Background: In late 2006, the seaside community in Esperance, Western Australia, was alerted to thousands of native bird species dying. The source of the lead was thought to derive from the handling of Pb carbonate concentrate from the Magellan mine through the port of Esperance, begun in July 2005. Concern was expressed for the impact of this process on the community.